Summary:

Surveillance showed a continued decrease in the number of cases. In October, there was only one case of severe EV71-related neuro-respiratory disease detected by the sentinel surveillance system. The patient was a 1 year old girl from Rang Knay village, Mean Rith commune, Sandann district, Kampong Thom. She was admitted to Angkor Hospital for Children with a diagnosis of HFMD (Stage 3). Throat and rectal swab samples were positive for EV71. The patient eventually recovered. Read more

In response to the outbreak of a severe form of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), the Ministry of Health (MOH) has instructed all public health facilities to report mild and severe cases of HFMD among children.

Mild cases present with fever and blisters on the hands, feet and/or mouth.Such cases may be managed at home or at health centers or health posts.Most of these cases recover within 7-10 days. However, some children develop a severe disease characterized by fever with neurologic symptoms (such as vomiting, somnolence, convulsions or spasms) or respiratory symptoms (fast breathing or difficulty in breathing). These children have to be referred to hospitals for treatment.

"Children with any of the following signs: very high fever, vomiting, convulsions, spasms or difficulty breathing must be immediately brought to a hospital for diagnosis and treatment," Minister of Health H.E. Mam Bun Heng advised parents.